Grand welcome for Hima Das

The 18-year-old sprinter, fondly called ‘Dhing Express’ after her village, had gone to the Indonesian capital after training in Europe.

Hima Das waves after arriving in Guwahati on Friday. (Photo: AFP)

Guwahati: Sprint sensation Hima Das returned to her home state Assam on Friday to a rousing reception, following her exploits at the Asian Games.

The 18-year-old sprinter, fondly called ‘Dhing Express’ after her village, had gone to the Indonesian capital after training in Europe.

Hima was received at the LPGB airport here by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and many of his cabinet colleagues with a traditional Assamese ‘gamosa’ (scarf of honour) around her neck. Her farmer parents Ronjit and Jonali Das were also present at the airport.

Escorted out by 25 Assam Police special women commandos ‘Birangona’, the athlete walked on a specially laid out red carpet designed like a running track with number markings.

‘Amar ghoror suwali’ (girl from our place), shouted students, sports lovers, political leaders, people from her village Dhing, who were waiting outside the terminal building.

To the beats of drum and Bihu dances, the sprinter, wearing a red track suit jacket with blue jeans, was taken in a white luxury car. The vehicle with Hima standing through its sun roof was part of procession of cars. Hima is the sports and culture secretary of the AASU unit in her home village Dhing.